Super Eagles of Nigeria have now qualified in group G of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2017 qualifier match after playing goalless draw today with Taifa Stars of Tanzana at home. It is the first leg of the second group match between Nigeria and the Tanzanian side.
The Taifa Stars made several attempts to get a goal against the Super Eagles, but on several occasions, Carl Ikeme, Nigeria’s goalkeeper, denied them the chance.
The Nigerian side had gone into the game with high hopes of getting maximum three points from the game after the Tanzanian side had lost 3-0 in Egypt, but the Nigerian side was denied that opportunity.
In the 11th minute, Nigeria came close to scoring through Emenike, who could only head over from close range from Musa’s whipped cross into the area.
The Tanzanian side upped their game, getting close to scoring in the 14th minute, with a great work from Samatta down the right, cutting inside and smashing a well-hit curling effort to the far post that was well dealt with by Ikeme, the Wolverhampton Wanderers’ goalkeeper, who was in top form.
The match was fierce and fast as expected, but the Taifa Stars defiled permutations by holding Nigeria to a goalless draw.
Both sides made several other attempts, without getting a goal to go ahead in the first leg of the second Group G games.
Before the game began, Taifa Stars, were last in Group G behind Chad, as they had lost 3-0 in Egypt while Nigeria defeated Chad by a 2-0.
It is the first major game for the new Super Eagles’ Coach Sunday Oliseh and the Taifa Stars’ coach, Boniface Mkwasa.
In the group, Nigeria now have four points while Tanzania have one point.
Meanwhile, Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh, has expressed satisfaction with one point, after they drew 0-0 with Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.
“The first half was not good for us. The second half was a little better. I am happy with the one point,” Oliseh said afterwards. You can’t expect the boys to gel from the beginning that’s why am happy with the one point.”
The former national team captain, was however full of praise for goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, who gave a good account of himself on his debut.
“It is unfair to say Ikeme had a decent game. He was actually fantastic.” Oliseh commended.
Eagles captain on the day, Ahmed Musa, added: ” Football has changed, there are no small teams. Tanzania gave us a good game.” [myad]
